Our Authors

CPRW is proud to support its members, whether you’re working on your first manuscript or your hundred and first.

Jane Anderson

Jane Anderson began writing romance in 1993 during a time—the first of many—when she was supposed to be focused on finding a real job. She has won the New England Chapter of Romance Writers of America First Kiss contest (1995), and under several pen names publishes short opinion pieces as well as travel, culture, and food articles. She has also been published in erotica, including the Penguin Heat anthology, Oysters & Chocolate, Erotic Stories of Every Flavor. Her most recent story, Cruising, is available from Amber Quill Press. Anderson has lived all over the United States and traveled to many other countries. She enjoys jazz music, hiking, beaches, mixed martial arts, a good joke, a great glass of wine and the company of other writers. She is currently finishing a novel-length manuscript.

Randi Anderson

Randi is a poet, translator, and novelist from western Pennsylvania. When not teaching, she writes epic fantasy inspired by her travels and studies of foreign language and culture. (And, of course, there's always at least a touch of romance.) Follow her work at http://www.randianderson.com

Isabelle Ardes

Isabelle Arden is a writer of steampunk romance and dark historical fantasy with strong romantic elements and is currently working on her first novel. She lives in central Pennsylvania with her golden retriever, who has delusions of grandeur.

Brandy Ayers

Brandy Ayers is a writer of erotic romance. Or romantic erotica, depending on how you look at it. She has been telling stories in one form or another since she was a child and decided her English/Irish heritage was boring. Instead, for a 4th-grade class genealogy assignment, she weaved a tale of mystery and intrigue about her great, great grandpa chief of the Navajo tribe. No one bought it. Brandy lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids, and a very depressed basset hound.
Find her: www.BrandyAyers.com
Facebook: facebook.com/BrandyAyersAuthor
Twitter: @BrandyWritesSex
Pinterest: pinterest.com/brandyayersauth/

Beth Batoha

Beth Batoha writes contemporary romantic mysteries and loves writing about strong, quirky, humorous, and relatable characters. Beth is a member of CPRW and RWA and is currently working on her next novel. You can visit her website at http://bethbatoha.wordpress.com/.

Jennifer Bonds/JJ Bonds

Jennifer Bonds writes sizzling contemporary romance with sassy heroines, sexy alphas, and a whole lot of mischief. She also writes YA paranormal romance as JJ Bonds. When she’s not writing or wrangling toddlers, Jennifer can be found curled up with a good book and a bottle of wine. Jennifer lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where her overactive imagination and a weakness for reality TV keep life interesting. She’s lucky enough to live with her very own real-life hero, two adorable children, and one rambunctious K9. Loves Buffy, Mexican food, the Winchester brothers, and all things zombie. Sings off-key. Visit her at http://www.jenniferbonds.com and http://jjbonds.com.

Gerri Bowen

Gerri Bowen was born in Maryland and now lives in beautiful South Central Pennsylvania. She loves to read, write, and travel. When she can’t do those things she gets grumpy, but that quickly passes. She likes to garden, although ever mindful of running afoul of a Dennene, lately it is more about planning than actually extending her flower garden. Gerri loves to hear from her readers. You can contact her at gerri bowen 5 @ gmail dot com. (Gerri knows her readers can figure out the puzzle to contact her.) Her website is www.gerribowen.com.

Vicky Burkholder

It seems like I've been writing and editing forever. And, in a way, I have. But only professionally for the last twenty years or so. I've worked for newspapers and magazines, done policy and procedures manuals for organizations and the government, and worked as an editor for a variety of publishers and private clients doing everything from novels to college-level textbooks. Whew! That's a lot! As a writer, I write fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal romance novels and novellas. As my alter-ego, Vicki Reese, I write M/M romantic suspense. I also write how-to books for writers. When not writing, I can be found whipping up allergy-gluten free foods, doing hand crafts, or just sitting on my front porch swing watching the world go by. You can visit my website at: http://burkholv.wordpress.com. Visit Vicki Reese at her website http://www.vickireese.com/

Samuel Castellino

Samuel Castellino was born in northeastern Pennsylvania and has lived most of his life in Wilkes-Barre with the exception of six years spent working in Monterey, California. His first career in life was mostly as a writer of computer code. Upon retiring from that profession, he became a writer of romance novels, including historical romance. What a change! He proclaims his online thesaurus to be his new best friend and admits to enjoying the editing process. He has written two romance novels to date: The Education of Sabina and Into the Far Country. As a self-published author, he has found marketing his books to be his biggest challenge—even with an author website, an Amazon Author Page, a Facebook page, and a Twitter handle. He takes his hat off and bows to others who have successfully mastered this book-marketing challenge. His second writing interest involves theological anthropology—the study of the human being as she or he relates to God. His non-fiction, self-published book The Prodigal Son Revisited explores the interplay among the Christian Trinity, angels, and human beings.
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/samuelcastellino
Author web site: http://authorsamcastellino.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamuelCastellino/Twitter: @SamCastellino

Natalie J. Damschroder

Natalie J. Damschroder is the author of high-stakes romantic adventure and paranormal romance with 24 published novels, including a YA trilogy as NJ Damschroder. She has been published my several traditional publishers and is also self-published. A former president, vice president, treasurer, newsletter editor, and librarian for CPRW, Natalie is a charter member of the Hobnail Boot Squad (for butt-kicking encouragement) and frequent wearer of the white dress of Galadriel (for gentle yet powerful support). Learn more about her by visiting her websites at nataliedamschroder.com and njdamschroder.com.

Julie Doherty

Something magical happened in the musty basement of Julie Doherty’s local courthouse. She went there intending to research her ancestry, not lose herself in a wealth of stories, but the ghosts of yesteryear drew her into the past and would not let her go. Those early ponderings led to Scent of the Soul, Julie’s first novel. Readers will notice a common theme throughout Julie’s books: star-crossed lovers. This is something she knows a bit about, since during one of her trips to Ireland, she fell in love with an Irishman. The ensuing immigration battle took four long years to win. With only fleeting visits, Skype chats, and emails to sustain her love, Julie poured her heartache into her writing, where it nourished the emotional depth of her characters. Julie is a member of Pennwriters, Romance Writers of America, Central PA Romance Writers, The Longship Company, Perry County Council of the Arts, and Clan Donald USA. When not writing, she enjoys antiquing, shooting longbow, traveling, and cooking over an open fire at her cabin. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, who sounds a lot like her characters.
Visit Julie at: www.juliedoherty.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliedohertywrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SquareSails

Sara Walter Ellwood/Cera duBois

Although Sara Walter Ellwood long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her contemporary westerns. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for over 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia. Sara Walter Ellwood is a multi-published and international Amazon bestselling author of the anthology set Cowboy Up. She also publishes paranormal romantic suspense under the pen name Cera duBois.
Visit her websites:Sara Walter Ellwood~~Stories about cowboys and the women strong enough to love them…
orCera duBois~~Where good and evil collide, and love always prevails…

Susan Gourley/Susan Kelley

Susan Gourley retired from teaching to become a full-time writer. She’s a bestselling author of science fiction romance that she writes as Susan Kelley. She is also multi-published in high fantasy that she writes under her real name. She’s a co-author of the bestselling nonfiction book, The Insecure Writers Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond. The mother of five sport-loving boys and one brainy daughter, she resides in her large country home in central Pennsylvania. Read more about her books and projects at her website, http://www.susangourley.com

Andrew Grey/Geoff Laughton

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Author Web SiteAuthor Live Journal
Author E-mail — andrewgrey@comcast.net

Allison B. Hanson

One very early morning, Allison B. Hanson woke up with a conversation going on in her head. Unable to go back to sleep, she went to her computer and began writing. It still hasn’t stopped. Her romances include paranormal, sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery suspense. Visit her at http://www.allisonbhanson.com/.

Heather Heyford

Heather Heyford is the author of contemporary romances set in the wine country. See what inspires her writing on her many Pinterest boards, read more about her on HeatherHeyford.com and connect on Facebook and on Instagram at heather_heyford.

Heidi Hormel

Heidi Hormel is a small-town girl living in the alleged snack food capital of the world, where she kind of loves the smell of chips frying in the morning. She has a been a writer for decades, and in her many incarnations has been a newspaper reporter (breaking the story of the stampeding elephants, Debbie and Tina), a public relations guru (maintaining her cool during “Cookiegate”), and, most recently, a writer of romances featuring Arizona cowgirls in books from Harlequin American Romance. Follow her (@HeidiHormel) on Twitter and Like her Heidi Hormel-Author page.

Carrie Jacobs

Carrie Jacobs spent approximately fifteen years as a columnist for a local weekly newspaper, writing "slice of life" type articles. She writes contemporary romance novels and short stories in any genre imaginable, including the weird and creepy. She lives in beautiful Juniata County with her family and spoiled pets. Connect with her on Facebook at facebook.com/writercarriejacobs, on Twitter at @carrieinpa or on her website at carrieajacobs.com.

Geri Krotow

Geri Krotow is a US Naval Academy graduate who traded in her uniform for writing. She is the award-winning and bestselling author of the the New Orleans-set Bayou Bachelors series with Kensington Lyrical Caress and the Silver Valley, PD series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, which features Central Pennsylvania. Geri enjoys creating sexy contemporary romances and tingling suspense, preferably with settings that she has personally experienced in her global travels. Visit her at www.gerikrotow.com.

Briana Michaels

Briana Michaels grew up and still lives on the East Coast. She’s worked as an Events Planner for a large hospital, owned her own company, and taught a preschool art class for several years before becoming an author. Family is her life, but writing is her passion. When not plotting her next adventure, she’s usually reading and enjoying time with her family and friends. Visit her website: www.BrianaMichaels.com

Teresa Peschel/Odessa Moon

Teresa Peschel writes nonfiction books under her own name and fiction as Odessa Moon. While growing up, she read piles of science-fiction and fantasy and often wondered what the authors hand-waved away about how difficult it really would be to terraform a planet. Her series, The Steppes of Mars, is her attempt to combine all those interests. Her first book, The Bride from Dairapaska, might best be described as women’s science-fiction with romance elements. Future books will be equally difficult to describe. She has at various times painted, sewed, served in the Navy, worked as a sales clerk and cashier, taken care of her family, and gardened with enthusiasm. She has long been interested in sustainability, resource depletion, and finding a balanced life. She lives with her family, her dog Muffy, and mostly useless cat in the Sweetest Place on Earth.
Websites: www.peschelpress.com and www.odessamoon.comAmazon Author pages: https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Peschel/e/B0725JGWQShttps://www.amazon.com/Odessa-Moon/e/B07G2TP741Facebook page: Bill Peschel and Peschel Press:https://www.facebook.com/peschelpress

Joyce E. Myers

Joyce E. Meyers has been writing most of her life, but seriously for the past eleven years. Her genre is Christian inspirational romance. Her favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast, her favorite color is blue, and she believes strongly in the best advice she's ever been given: When life does not work out…keep on trying.

Cindy Musser

Cindy is an aspiring author who writes sweet contemporary and romantic mystery with a paranormal twist. She is currently seeking publication for her first manuscript. During the day, Cindy is a research administrator at Penn State University. She lives on a dairy farm in Central PA with her high-school-sweetheart husband, is the mother of three children, and has two precious grandsons. Beginning in January 2009, she became the new CPRW Secretary and previously served as Pro Liaison.

Maggie Preston

Maggie Preston is an award-winning author of contemporary romantic fiction. She fell in love with romance before she knew what it was, stealing paperback novels from her grandmother’s closet when her mother wasn’t looking. Visit Maggie at authormaggiepreston.com or email her at Maggie@awritershouse.com.

Decca Price

Unraveling mysteries form Decca Price’s earliest memories, whether she was exploring her grandmother’s cupboards on a rainy Saturday afternoon or the darkest corners of the local library after school. The Nancy Drew book her great-aunt sent all the way from California one Christmas (The Mystery of the Old Clock) put her on a track that led to Agatha Christie paperbacks happily shared with her mother, along with a multitude of others. Her interests in literature, history, and romance led to college degrees in education and English literature and a lasting love for the Victorian novel. A published writer—from poetry and reflective essays in the college literary magazine to award-winning journalism—Price lives in Central Pennsylvania with two cats and too many books to count. When she is not reading, she likes to garden, entertain, travel—and write. She has been a member of RWA since 2009 and of CPRW since 2010. Her work in progress is a historical romance with mystery elements set in late Victorian London. Visit her website today.

Delynn Royer

Delynn Royer is the older, smarter, funnier, more ornery alter ego of author Donna Grove, who, as a young mother, published several light historical romances. Since then, Delynn has kept busy working a day job and raising her sons. Now that she has completed her finest achievement—that of launching two upstanding young men into the world—she has returned to her first love, writing. She has updated her backlist to be released as e-books and is penning a new romantic mystery series. Visit Delynn at http://delynnroyer.wordpress.com/.

Misty Simon

Misty Simon loves to tell stories, especially the ones she types on her computer. Sharing her quirky sense of humor through her full-figured heroines is a dream come true and she hopes readers take something away with them from every story. Misty lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband and daughter, Noelle, where she is hard at work on her next book. She loves to hear from readers and you can check out her website or email her directly.

Kristine Skvarna

How long have I been writing? I’ve been writing since grade school. I entered a contest when I was nine years old for the Barbie doll. The theme of the contest was “What Barbie means to me.” I came in as a runner-up and received a gold bracelet with a Barbie charm on it. I still have it somewhere. I took journalism in high school and wrote articles for the school newspaper. I didn’t write as much until later when I got interested in writing books for children and took a course in that. Later, I began writing my own romantic fiction and have been working on it since 1995. I joined RWA in 1997 and CPRW the same year. I write historical romantic fiction set in the mid 1850 to Civil War time period. It is regional to the southern Pennsylvania area I grew up in.

Karen Rose Smith

Karen Rose Smith was born in Pennsylvania in the Susquehanna Valley. As a teenager, music became as important to her as reading. She and her cousin took their first sojourn into writing by collaborating on a script for the MONKEES television program. They sent that script to every concert venue where the group appeared that summer! In college, Karen began writing poetry and also met her husband to be. They both started married life as teachers, but when their son was born, Karen decided to try her hand at a home decorating business. She returned to teaching for a while but changes in her life led her to writing romance fiction. She has sold 82 books since 1992 as well as indie published her backlist and new titles. She is a winner of many awards, and her romances have made the USA TODAY list, Borders Group Bestseller list, and Amazon Contemporary Romance Bestseller list. Married to her college sweetheart, believing in the power of love and commitment, she envisions herself writing relationship novels (including mysteries) for a long time to come! Visit her at her websites: http://www.karenrosesmith.com/ and http://www.karenrosesmithmysteries.com/

Victoria Smith

Victoria Smith wrote her first romance at the age of nine and promptly hid the story from her older brothers to avoid being teased mercilessly. Her mother recently found and gave her the folded notebook paper and, if you’re lucky, one day she’ll reveal who the hero in that story was. Now, she writes dark paranormal, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction—always with a happy, or at least satisfying, ending. An active member of Central Pennsylvania Romance Writers, Victoria lives in Central Pennsylvania with her high school sweetheart, four children, an oversized mutt who thinks she’s a lapdog, an overweight cat who tries to make visitors believe he’s never fed, and an ever-changing menagerie of critters. Visit her blog here.

Patty Taylor

Patty Taylor fell in love with animals, books, and the mystical world of magic from a wee girl. With her mother being born and raised in Northern Ireland, along with the discovery of her father having Native American ancestry, her fascination for both cultures quickly led her imagation to run wild. Compelled to start creating her own stories at a very early age, her dream of becoming a published writer always tugged at her heart and finally came true. Even though her passion to work with white wolves didn’t become a reality, she considers herself very fortunate to have been “owned and loved” by a pack of Samoyeds for over 20 years. In her spare time you can find her sitting at one of her favorite spinning wheels spinning exotic fibers. And yes, she does believe in the little people and fairies—just ask her! Visit Patty at her website.

Cadence Vonn

Cadence has been involved in the arts since she could pick up a crayon. She has a BFA in photography and silversmithing. If you get a glimpse of her notebooks, you’ll discover she’s an accomplished doodler. She channels her daydreams into sizzling-hot romances. Now she is living her dream with her husband on Whidbey Island with a view of Puget Sound outside her door. Visit her website: www.CadenceVonn.com

Kathleen Watson

Kathleen Watson knew she wanted to be a writer in eighth grade, so when she got to college she naturally majored in chemistry. Mad scientist by day, romance writer by night, Kathleen is an award-winning author of romantic suspense, contemporary and erotic fiction. She recently relocated to Pennsylvania after working in DC and South Korea. Find out more about Kathleen at awritershouse.com or email her at Kathleen@awritershouse.com.

Ranae Watts

Ranae Watts is an aspiring author of Romantic Suspense. She recently started her writing career but has enjoyed reading romantic fiction, mystery, thriller, and suspense novels for many years. As a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Central Pennsylvania Romance Writers (CPRW), Kiss of Death (KOD), and Sisters of Crime, she continues to learn the craft. Ranae lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, one of her three sons, and six Jack Russell Terriers. When she isn’t writing or reading she enjoys knitting, crocheting, and spending time with her grandchildren.